Featherstone (Wakefield) Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Featherstone (Wakefield), 8.8 crimes were recorded in January 2025 — 23.9% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 114 residents, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, making up 52.8% of all reported incidents, with 56 cases recorded. This category alone was 83% above the UK average, highlighting a stark localised concern. Seasonal factors likely play a role in these patterns, as January’s post-holiday period and reduced retail footfall may contribute to higher rates of violent crime compared to other months. Property crimes, though lower in absolute numbers, still accounted for 32% of total incidents, with shoplifting (8.5 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.9 per 1,000) showing marked deviations from UK averages. The local profile suggests a mix of urban and semi-rural characteristics, where community spaces and public areas may intersect with higher concentrations of violent incidents. While the overall rate is elevated, the breakdown reveals a complex picture: violent crime is high, while theft from the person and vehicle crime are significantly below UK levels, reflecting lower foot traffic in certain areas or effective local deterrents. This month’s data underscores the need to consider both geographic and temporal factors when assessing risk, with the post-holiday lull and winter conditions likely influencing patterns in ways that differ from other parts of the UK.

January 2025 saw a dramatic 200% increase in shoplifting, with incidents rising from 3 to 9. This jump, though still below the UK average for the category, suggests a shift in criminal activity that may be linked to seasonal retail patterns or targeted vulnerabilities in local businesses. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by two-thirds compared to December, dropping from 9 to 3 cases — a change consistent with the post-holiday period and reduced public gatherings. The violence and sexual offences category, already 83% above the UK average, remained the dominant concern, with 56 cases reported. This highlights a persistent challenge in addressing violent crime, which may be exacerbated by local social dynamics or environmental factors. Other theft — typically a high-volume category — fell by 37.5%, from 8 to 5 cases, a decline that could reflect improved security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behaviour. The sharp rise in 'other crime' (100% increase from 2 to 4 cases) warrants closer examination, though no specific category details are provided. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, where month-on-month changes can reveal both emerging trends and areas of relative stability.

Compared to December 2024, Featherstone’s crime rate fell by 19.7%, from 10.9 to 8.8 per 1,000 residents — a reduction that, while significant, still leaves the area 23.9% above the UK average. This monthly decline is reflected in the daily crime count, with an average of 3 crimes reported each day in January — a figure that, while modest, underscores the continuous presence of criminal activity in the community. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure of 1 crime per 114 residents provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents. This rate is higher than the UK average, which may be attributed to Featherstone’s specific demographic and geographic profile. The contrast between local and national figures is particularly stark in categories like violence and sexual offences, where the local rate is 83% above the UK average. However, some categories, such as vehicle crime (51% below UK levels) and anti-social behaviour (69% below), suggest areas where local conditions may be more favourable. This mixed picture indicates that while certain crime types are persistently elevated, others show signs of being effectively managed, through targeted policing or community initiatives.